16 Ways to Clean and Care for Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

June 11, 2018

etter than brass and cheaper than gold, sterling silver is a noble metal best for jewelry lovers. From endless designs, to its high compatibility with gemstones sterling silver gemstone jewelry is the best. Explore 16 ways to clean and care for sterling silver gemstone jewelry like the pros do.

What is Silver Patina?

As pure silver is too soft, sterling silver is made with 92.5% of silver mixed with alloys such as zinc, copper and so on. Silver patina is a green, yellow or black color coating on the noble metal due to the reaction of the alloy with sulfur, oxygen or moisture in the air.

How different is Silver tarnish from Rust?

Rust damages the metal deep inside while tarnish oxidizes the top layer of the metal and protects the bottom layers from tarnishing.

8 Ways to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

1. Lemon and Olive Oil for Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Ideal for the shine and cleaning, lemon zest with olive oil does a lot of magic for sterling silver stone jewelry.

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 10 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Olive Oil: 1/2 Cup

Microfiber cloth

Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Lemon and Olive Oil

Mix Lemon Juice in Olive oil.

Rinse and rub Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with the above using a microfiber

Wash off with warm water.

2. Baking Soda and Water for Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Check if your gemstone reacts with baking soda and water before cleaning with this method. It makes the sterling silver sparkle!

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 5 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Water: As required

Baking Soda: 1 Tablespoon

Soft Cloth

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Baking Soda and Water

Prepare a paste out of baking soda in water.

Use the paste on the sterling silver gemstone jewelry and rub with a soft cloth.

Wash off with warm water.

3. Opposite Tarnish Reaction

A clever way to restore the glow of sterling silver gemstone jewelry, reverse tarnish is a smart way to give your jewelry the spring cleaning.

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 15 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Boiling Water

Aluminum Foil

Salt

Bowl

Baking Soda

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Tarnish Reaction

Place aluminum foil on your pan.

Keep sterling silver gemstone jewelry on the foil.

Pour boiling hot water into the pan through the foil.

Add baking soda and salt to the sterling silver gemstone jewelry.

Stir the solids.

Wash off after 10 minutes.

4. White Vinegar

Safe and organic, white vinegar for cleaning gemstone jewelry made of sterling silver is incredible. It makes the jewelry last long because you’re avoiding harsh commercial jewelry cleaners.

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 4 Hours

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Baking Soda: 1-2 tablespoon

White Vinegar: 1/2 Cup

Soft Cloth

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with White Vinegar

Stir the white vinegar with baking soda.

Soak the sterling silver in it for up to four hours.

Dry with a soft cloth.

5. Alcohol to Cleanse Regularly

Easy and affordable, alcohol helps to go into the crevices of the sterling silver gemstone jewelry that you can’t reach. Use it every day!

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 35 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Bowl

Rubbing Alcohol

Soft cloth

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Alcohol

Add rubbing alcohol to a cup.

Soak the sterling silver jewelry for 10 minutes in the cup.

Now, place the jewelry out and dry with a soft cloth.

6. Get it Polished to Make Sterling Silver Jewelry Look New

The best way to keep your jewelry in sterling silver from losing its glow is by polishing it regularly. Go for the polishing spree every once a year or once in two years to keep it heirloom-quality.

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 5 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Bowl

Water

Jewelry Polish

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Polish

Create the solution as directed on the polish.

Place the sterling silver gemstone jewelry soaked in the mixture for 10 seconds.

Afterwards, clean it with a soft cloth.

7. Microfiber Cloth

Using harsh and abrasive clothes is a big no-no for sterling silver jewelry. Before following any cleaning mechanisms, check if it recommended for your gemstone too. Often hot water and chemicals can permanently damage the stone. That’s why, cleaning your sterling silver gemstone jewelry at the end of the wear every day is a wise thing to retain its luster.

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 1 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Time

Microfiber Cloth

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Microfiber Cloth

At the end of the day, remove the Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry.

Clean it with a Microfiber Cloth.

Don’t wear it at night.

8. Warm Water Cleansing

Ideal for daily cleansing of sterling silver jewelry, warm water is the safest for most crystals too.

Total Time to clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry: 2 Minutes

Things to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

Water

Soft Bristle Brush or Microfiber cloth

How to Clean Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry with Warm Water

Prepare lukewarm water.

Soak your sterling silver gemstone jewelry in the warm water.

Take a soft bristle brush or microfiber cloth to clean the jewelry.

Dry it off.

8 Dos and Don’ts when wearing Sterling Silver Jewelry

· Do Clean Your Sterling Silver Jewelry Regularly

Often, the main cause of dullness of sterling silver gemstone accessories is the dust and quartz that leeches onto it from the air around. To avoid it, clean the jewelry every day after your wear.

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